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Lot essay

These Irish oval-topped drop-leaf tables are traditionally known as 'wake' tables. Their narrow shape when the flaps are down, allows them to be conveniently placed against a wall, out of the way, often in a hall or dining-room, but by tradition they were employed to support a coffin prior to burial, their narrow shape being ideally suited for such purpose. Their mobile nature and usefulness has resulted in many examples remaining in situ in houses throughout Ireland such as in the dining-rooms of Leixlip Castle, Co. Kildare, Bellamont Forest, Co. Cavan, Mount Stewart, Co. Down and in the hall at Luggala, Co. Wicklow (see J. O'Brien and D. Guinness, Great Irish Houses and Gardens, London, 1992, pps. 23, 68, 157 and 192).

Cataloguing & details

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Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage.
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